Except… Sometimes you do. And you have to watch out for your attitude when that happens, too.
By coming on the Word Race, I hoped to stretch myself in every area of my life – physically, emotionally, and spiritually (OK, if I’m honest I really did not want to stretch myself emotionally… I am already pretty emotional!). But I have gotten all that I’ve asked for in these areas already – and then some!
Conditions:
This month has certainly brought distinct differences and new kinds of sacrifice. First of all, this is all squad month, meaning all 54 of us are living on the same compound (smaller than my house at home) ministering together. Our ministry is located in Trujillo, the second largest city in Peru. Don’t make the mistake (like I did) of Google Imaging it, though. That is not the Trujillo we know and have seen! Our partner ministry this month, Iglesia de Cielos Abiertos, has a church/school compound in the middle of what they call a “red zone” (or what my squad mates have deemed the “ghetto desert”). I suppose the title gives it away, but it’s somewhere between a suburb and a shanty town, with little besides running water and weak plumbing to sustain life. Though not by rule, we are confined to the compound 24 hours a day 6 days a week. This is mostly because of our ministry schedule, complicated by the fact that the area in which we live is far too dangerous to be out by yourself or after dark. Besides, taxis won’t even take us back here at night. So far, though, the only redeeming quality of our location is a consistent breeze (thanks to the nearby Pacific) relieving our skin from the scorching desert sun. We are hot. We are exhausted. We are sick (again). We are really hot.
Because I both wanted the challenge and because the 2 mass bedrooms here are STIFLING, I chose to pitch my tent on the roof this month. It’s wonderful for the breeze and the view of Peru’s colorful sunsets, but still not ideal for sleeping. I’m unsure what the exact deal with the houses around here is, but most seem to double as the homeowner’s business (a variety of discotecas, restaurants, brothels, stores, and farms). Our closest neighbors are mostly cows, goats, donkeys, and roosters. Oh, so many roosters! As a result, it is LOUD throughout the night. Between the noise and the heat, I know I need to be getting way more sleep than I am currently managing.
Physically, my legs and back ache all the time as a result of standing, walking, sitting, and sleeping on concrete all night and day. Of course, I have a 1.5” sleeping pad to protect my body from the rocky cement at night. I think (positive thoughts!) I am getting used to it. And when I am not working, I am hunched over to eat, write, read, etc. because chairs are not accessible to us. Note to Self: If I ever do anything like this again, bring a hammock! I wanted to feel what people I am serving feel, even if it is painful. So knowing that my body is capable of far more than I think it is, I praise Him for giving me the opportunity to feel how these people have felt every day of their lives!
Ministry:
Our ministry this month has been challenging, too. In the morning our team is teaching English classes, and in the afternoon VBS. It’s hard not to compare teaching English here to our experience in Ecuador. The people here are SO different. In Ecuador, all you had to do was ask someone their name and they wanted to invite you over for dinner, introduce you to their family, and all around become your best friend.
Though Peru (and really all Latin countries) is also known for being open and loving, it is not the same. In contrast, when I asked the children their names on the first day of English class (in Spanish), I got an overwhelming blank stare. “Do they speak Spanish?” I heard someone ask. We quickly found that they were hesitant to answer us even in their native tongue. The children here in Peru, or at least in this red zone, are very delayed developmentally. They do not learn to read until 7 or 8 years old, yet the majority of the children in our English class are between the ages of 3-7. Imagine yourself in a 100 degree classroom with no airflow, trying to teach the English alphabet to children who cannot write their own name in Spanish. To add to the mix, most children bring their younger, sometimes infant, brothers/sisters. Who knew I’d one day have to explain why you can’t select the baby in the stroller when playing “duck, duck, goose”?! This, along with the fact that some kids who come choose not to participate at all, clues me into the possibility that many of the kids may be coming because of family/home reasons.
In the afternoons we run a VBS (Vacation Bible School) camp. Our partner ministry does funny things like calling it a “fiesta con Jesus,” and giving a round of applause for Jesus every time we pray. I admit I first found these practices a bit odd, if not humorous, but now I see that they are quite worthy of adoration. First of all, the kids absolutely LOVE it. It reminds me of Matthew 19 when the disciples are rebuking people for bringing so many children to Christ (reflected in my attitude, I sadly admit), but Jesus responds, “’Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them…” (v 14-15). After a quick perspective change, I don’t think there’s much Jesus would love more than to have a party with these precious little ones! Likewise, instead of viewing applause for the Lord as patronizing, I realized that there is no one in the entire universe more deserving of our praise, in any/all forms, than the One who created it all!
So, let’s applaud Jesus for the amazing, saving God that He is! Let’s applaud Him for all He’s done in our lives! Let’s applaud Him for the HARD trials as well as the GREAT blessings! Let’s applaud Him simply because He is good and deserving of our praise!
[Round of applause]
PRAYER REQUESTS THIS MONTH:
- I am still getting accustomed to my sleeping pad situation. I would love to see my (unfortunately) delicate body transformed, able to adjust to any surface or physical situation!
- It is hot and illness persists among P squad. Please pray for our health and energy to be present and serve well, as unto the Lord!
- Please pray for Sujeila, a 5 year old girl who I led in prayer to receive Christ last week. Her parents are not believers and she doesn’t live in this area to be able to connect with this church. Please pray that the Word takes root in the fertile soil of her heart, that the Lord would guard and protect the Seed, and bring along others to water and cultivate it.
Amen!!!
